Statement by the President

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 6201, the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (the “Act”). The Act makes emergency supplemental appropriations and other changes to law to help the Nation respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

One provision of the bill (division B, section 2302(c)) purports to require the Secretary of Agriculture, upon certain events, to submit a report to the Congress that includes legislative recommendations. My Administration, including the Secretary, will respectfully treat this provision in a manner consistent with Article II, section 3 of the Constitution, which provides the President the exclusive authority to “recommend” to the Congress “such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”